We are working with leading research institutions in the US and Europe to develop exciting new therapies for the future. We are flexible in our approach to collaboration and welcome discussions with research groups who have novel ADC-relevant programmes.

We have developed a series of high-value ADC assets, which are available for collaborative research and license.

Management team

David Simpson PhD

Chief Executive Officer

Dave co-founded Iksuda Therapeutics (formerly Glythera) in 2012, refocussing it into an Antibody Drug Conjugate development company underpinned by its proprietary technology platforms. Prior to Iksuda, Dave led Actavis’s biosimilar programmes (now Allergan) and started his industrial career by joining Cobra Biologics (now Cobra Biomanufacturing) before moving to Eden Biodesign Ltd where he led its Process Development capabilities.

Robert Lutz PhD

Chief Science Officer

With more than 25 years’ experience, Bob was previously Vice President of Translational Research and Development at ImmunoGen Inc., where he was responsible for all early-stage ADC development programs and gained further experience in directing the clinical pharmacology, biomarkers, pharmacology and toxicology departments. While at ImmunoGen, Bob was responsible for bringing eight of ImmunoGen’s candidate ADC products into development and was the research lead for Kadcyla®.

Ian Evetts PhD

Chief Business Officer

Ian has over 20 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry gained through senior positions in Sales, Marketing, Business Development and Licensing in Multi-National Companies and BioTech. Prior to joining Iksuda he was Evaluations Director for AstraZeneca, responsible for asset evaluation of in-house and externalisation opportunities on behalf of their ex-US Business and for whom he negotiated numerous licensing deals.

Jenny Thirlway PhD

Senior Director, Development Program Team Leader

Jen leads Iksuda’s ADC programmes including the pre-clinical demonstration of Iksuda’s proprietary PermaLink® conjugation chemistry, exemplification of novel toxin platforms and the evaluation of partnered antibodies/alternative scaffolds focussed on the development of a proof of concept stage ADC portfolio. Jen has significant experience in the development of biologics including antibody based therapeutics and biosimilars (via the acquisition of Eden Biodesign Ltd, UK by Allergan PLC) and a post-doctoral background in biochemistry.

Nationally Ruth chairs the Cancer Research UK New Agents Committee and is a member of Cancer Research UK’s Clinical Research Committee. She is a member of the MRC Stratified Medicine Group.

Kathleen Moore MD

Professor of Gynecologic Oncology

Kathleen is an associate Professor of gynecologic oncology and serves as the director of the Oklahoma TSET Phase I Clinical Trials Program, Endowed Chair of Christy Everest Cancer Research, Associate Director of Clinical Research and Medical Director of the Clinical Trials Office for the Stephenson Cancer Center.

Kathleen is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology as well as gynecologic oncology and hospice and palliative care.

David O’Malley MD

Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology

David is Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Centre, serves as chair of The James Committee on Patient Satisfaction, is a member of the Patient Experience Counsel, the Perioperative Quality Management Committee and The James Quality and Patient Safety Committee.

Nationally, David is a member of multiple oncology focussed committees and is a member of the steering committee for TRINOVA 3, a multinational phase III ovarian cancer trial.

Jon Roffey PhD

CRT & CRUK Commercial Partnership Team

Jon joins Iksuda’s SAB from Cancer Research Technology (CRT), Cancer Research UK’s Commercial Partnerships team, where he has been working since 2006, initially as medicinal chemistry group leader and, latterly, with responsibility for forging drug-discovery alliances between academia and industry. As a medicinal chemist by training, Jon has had active involvement in a wide variety of therapeutic areas, including the development of ADCs in cancer.

Morris Rosenberg

Former Executive VP Seattle Genetics

Morris participated in the development and launch of Adcetris®, Avonex®, Angiomax®, Xigris®, and Forteo®. He has considerable experience in building highly successful product development teams & supervising process sciences, manufacturing, quality control, quality assurance, preclinical research, bioanalytical, and project management.

Kerry Chester PhD

Professor University College London

Kerry leads the Antibody Engineering Group at the UCL Cancer Institute, London. She has more than 20 years’ experience in antibody engineering and antibody phage-display technology. Her main research interests are design and construction of antibody-based therapeutics and the interaction of these molecules with specific cancer targets; Kerry’s group designed and manufactured the first single chain Fv antibody (scFv) to enter clinical trials.

Board of directors

Sam Williams PhD

Non-Executive Chairman

Sam has 20 years’ experience in the biotechnology industry, both as a top-ranked equity analyst in the City and, subsequently, as an entrepreneur and chief executive. He is Head of Life Sciences at IP Group plc, Executive Chairman of Istesso Ltd and Non-Executive Chairman of Microbiotica Ltd. He holds a PhD in molecular biology from Cambridge and a degree in biology from Oxford.

David Simpson PhD

Chief Executive Officer

Dave co-founded Iksuda Therapeutics (formerly Glythera) in 2012, refocussing it into an Antibody Drug Conjugate development company underpinned by its proprietary technology platforms. Prior to Iksuda, Dave led Actavis’s biosimilar programmes (now Allergan) and started his industrial career by joining Cobra Biologics (now Cobra Biomanufacturing) before moving to Eden Biodesign Ltd where he led its Process Development capabilities.

Lisa Patel PhD

Non-Executive Director

Lisa has 20 years’ experience in drug discovery and development, both as a team and group leader at GlaxoSmithKline and subsequently as Chief Scientific Officer at Istesso Limited. Lisa is Chief Scientific Officer of the Biotech portfolio at IP Group plc and serves on the Scientific Advisory Board of Avacta plc. She holds a degree in Biochemistry, a PhD in molecular genetics and an MBA.

Michael Owen PhD

Non-Executive Director

Mike was Senior Vice President and global Head of Research of the Biopharmaceuticals R&D Unit at GlaxoSmithKline and was responsible for initiating and rapidly growing its pre-clinical and clinical therapeutic antibody pipeline. An immunologist by training, Mike established Kymab in 2010 and was responsible for the development of its novel transgenic mouse platform. Mike is an independent board member at Zealand Pharma and non-executive director of ReNeuron plc, Avacta Group plc, GammaDelta Therapeutics, Ossianix Inc. and Blink Therapeutics. He also advises the private equity CRT Pioneer Fund and Abingworth LLP.

Alan Lamb

Non-Executive Director

Alan has broad experience as director, manager in technology businesses from early stage through to a large public company. He led the MBO of Computer Security International from Advent which was acquired by Racal Electronics where he was CEO of Racal IT Security. The last 15 years have seen Alan develop spin-out companies from UK universities as a mentor, chairman & non-executive director. He is chairman of Promethean Particles, a supplier of specialist nano-particles & Gyrometric Systems, who provide condition monitoring for offshore wind turbines. He was an independent director of Kings Arms Yard VCT plc for 10 years and is a non-executive director of Resilient Networks plc. He holds an Engineering Science degree and an MBA.